CHAPTER 3:

My Lamborghini purred its soft purr as the engine slowly died down. In two weekends in a month, students from Charanari High were allowed to go home to their parents. And this was one of those weekends. Supposedly, I was going home but since I received that call from Dad, I had no choice but to go to an alternative home instead.

I casually glanced around, eventually noting several familiar faces surrounding my condo building. Dad wasn't exaggerating about the security, though I doubt there was anything to exaggerate about.

I had just climbed out of the car when I felt the unmistakable feeling of a person's body heat behind me. Responding to instinct, I spun around, bracing myself for an encounter with a possible assassin.

Someone gasped and I raised my fist to hit him. The person was hooded, looking like someone hired to do the dirty work. I dropped my hand and kicked his shin instead. The hooded person yelped more in pain than surprise. He fell down the concrete, clutching the spot where my foot hit him. The mafia guards started to move towards us but then my attacker's hood fell and lilac hair popped out. I held up my hand to prevent the security from going any closer. The person in front of me wasn't an assassin - more like stalker.

He wore the boys' uniform of my new school - black jacket with lapels on top of a white button-down shirt and a black tie. And now that I've taken a full look at him, he was also wearing the familiar blue plaid pants. The boy stood up and patted the dust off his pants.

"What the hell did you do that for? Do you even know me?" he asked, clearly annoyed.

"You were breathing in my ear. It's normal for anyone to do that," I said.

He ran his hand through his lilac hair. "I wasn't breathing in your ear," he mumbled then whispered something like, "I was just curious,"

I walked past him but didn't get that far. He grabbed me by the wrist and forced me to face him.

"You don't recognize me? At all?" he asked irritated.

I lifted one brow at him. The guy was acting like a celebrity who didn't get noticed in public. He stared intently at me, his strange, electrified blue eyes boring into my topaz ones. I unconsciously scoffed. Clearly, this guy didn't notice that I wasn't interested in him.

I slowly shook my head.

His face showed several expressions all at once. Shock, confusion, disbelief and...pain? But it was all gone in a blink. With one swift move, he flipped his hair and pushed me against my car, pinning me there as he put his hands on the spaces beside my face. His blue eyes narrowed at me as he moved his face closer to mine.

"I'm one of the Knights, Fuwa Kiseki," he said, his breath sending a weird lavender scent to me.

I hitched my breath and grabbed his arm. I was getting really annoyed with this Guardian stuff. Couldn't they just accept that they won't ever matter to me? Right now, my life's possibly in danger and knowing all of those damn Guardians' names is the least of my problems.

"Look, I don't really have time for this," I said and pushed him away.

"No way!"

"That's not true!"

"It can't be!"

"Nooooooooooo!"

It was early Monday morning and the school was already so noisy. I knew I should've stayed in my condo instead. Apparently, my family wouldn't be back until next week. They were trying to lead the assassins away from our original house though I didn't know what the point of leaving me behind was.

I leaned against my locker and stared impassively at the crumpled heap of drama queens on the floor. The three of them stopped right in front of me moments ago and looked back and forth from me to their iPads. They looked like they were comparing me with something.

I decided to completely ignore them but it was really hard to when they lay on your path. One girl took one last look at her iPad and then whimpered. Then, she pulled on her ginger hair and let out a frustrated groan. The other girl stood up, but was wobbly so she clung to one of the lockers' handle.

"Tell me," she said, "why'd you do it?"

Huh?

"Do what, exactly?" I asked. Normally, I'd just walk past her but her two friends were blocking my way.

The girl hesitated, like what she was going to say would hurt her. She glanced at the drama queens on the floor and sighed.

"The thing that you did with Kiseki-sama...why did you do it?" she finally asked.

The thing I did? Was she referring to our encounter last Friday? When I kicked one of their precious Knights? I looked cautiously at her. How did she know about that? She clutched on her iPad as she waited for my answer. I sighed. Of course. That bastard of a knight have probably told the whole school about last Friday already. I should've known.

The girl cleared her throat. "Well?" I didn't notice her friends getting up but now they're on their feet, as well.

"Because I felt like it," I simply said.

The three of them gasped in unison. One girl grabbed me by the arm.

"And he just let you?" she asked, her eyes...hopeful?

I shrugged and looked past them. I saw a flicker of purplish-blue hair slide inside my homeroom. Must be Yoru.

"Did he just let you do it?" the girl prompted.

My focus shifted back to them. "He didn't have a choice,"

"How did it feel?" another asked excitedly.

And I thought they practically worshipped those Guardians. Now they're asking me how it felt to harm one of their idols? Did something big happen that I wasn't aware of?

"It was satisfying," I shrugged again and walked away.

I slumped on my chair. That Nikaidou guy was having his weird moments again. He was dressed as Shakespeare's Romeo and asked one of the female students to participate as Juliet. I really thought he was pulling our leg. I mean, who would want to recite romantic lines in front of a whole class to a teacher? But it turned out that he was dead serious about it. That shouldn't have surprised me. I felt he was that crazy when I first saw him. But the craziest thing was that the other girls practically killed one another for the role. That totally caught me off-guard.

So now, we were forced to listen as Old Man Nikaidou and Saaya recited lines I would never - not in this life and probably in any other life - say.

"Romeo! O, Romeo! Wherefore art thou, Romeo?"

I yawned and rested my head on my hand. Sleep was slowly claiming me. I wasn't able to sleep well last night because I was worried sick about my family. So now, I was paying the price.

Another yawn escaped my lips and I forced my heavy eyelids to stay up. But the more I fought, the harder it got.

BAM!

A loud sound and a striking pain shot me back to consciousness. I rubbed my forehead, where the searing pain came from. The students were looking my way and Nikaidou and Saaya have stopped their act. I was caught red-handed - or in this case, red-foreheaded.

With a stern look on his face, Nikaidou sent me out and gave me a detention slip. Great. Third day in class and I already got detention. So much for creating a low profile.

I was halfway to Physics class when a certain indigo-haired girl caught up to me.

"Amu-chan!" she greeted, her ponytailed hair swaying behind her.

At first I ignored her and just kept walking. No one outside my family ever called me 'Amu-chan' because they knew I didn't like the familiarity. That was why there was an unspoken rule not to call me that. Though clearly, Nadeshiko wasn't aware of it.

"Are you heading to Physics class?" she asked enthusiastically, all high-pitched voice and smiles.

I nodded.

Her smile even became broader, showcasing her flashy perfect teeth. "That's great! Let's go together!" she said and linked her arm to mine.

I automatically took my arm away. "Actually, I prefer to be on my own," I said in the most nonchalant tone I could.

Nadeshiko's giddy face dropped. And for a moment there I thought I felt annoyed with her but then it vanished when I saw her boyfriend walk towards us.

Tadase had a trail of heart-eyed girls swooning behind him as he marched to our direction. His red-violet eyes were fixated on Nadeshiko. The expression on his face almost looked pleading. But the way he walked told a different story. It was like he knew girls were trailing behind him and he was screaming that he was loving it.

The girl beside me clung to my arm again and this time I let her. I suddenly knew she was hurt, but for what reason, I didn't know. Now, I had the nagging feeling that she needed someone to cling to.

We stopped walking just shy of the Physics Lab. Nadeshiko's fingers were trembling on my arm. Suddenly, Tadase's fan girls were nowhere to be found and the hallway was almost deserted. Except for the three of us.

"Nade-chan," Tadase tried to reach out but Nadeshiko hid behind me. The pain she oozed gave me the sudden urge to slam my fist on this blonde guy's pretty face. Lucky for him, I held back.

He brushed his girl-like fingers on his hair, his eyes not once leaving Nadeshiko's face. "Please, hear me out," he pleaded. Unconsciously, I wondered how many times this scene happen.

Nadeshiko cringed behind me, as if Tadase's mere voice hurt her physically. "Go away," she said with an almost non-audible voice.

Pain registered on Tadase's face and I knew I had to leave the both of them now. This wasn't my place. I reached for Nadeshiko behind my back and tried to peel her hand off my uniform. But her hand clutched on my jacket even harder.

Tasade took another step forward. "Nade-"

"I don't want to talk to you ever again, Tadase," Nadeshiko's voice came out as a whimper but the message was clear. It was over between them.

"A-Are you...breaking up with me?" his voice shook. Obviously, he wasn't expecting this to happen.

Nadeshiko came out from behind me and wiped her eyes. Her face was all blotchy but determination was set hard on her features. "I should've done this a long time ago,"

Tadase nodded. His eyes shone with unshed tears. I almost walked away but Nadeshiko's tight grip on my arm held me back.

Somehow, I felt sorry for the guy. Maybe Nadeshiko was being too hard on him. But I didn't know what happened so, I didn't have the right to conclude yet.

The blonde guy started walking away and Nadeshiko rushed to the door. She silently slipped inside but not before hearing Tadase saying:

"I still love you and I always will,"

Another yawn escaped my lips for the nth time this day. I was so beat up I probably couldn't walk my way to the dorm. Fortunately, I still had a three-hour detention today. I'd probably just doze off there. But if that still wouldn't be enough, I'd-

The sound of a tray dropping on the cafeteria floor made my head shoot up. I looked around. Everyone seemed to look at only one direction. Still slightly sleepy, I followed everyone's gaze and saw two girls arguing - one blonde, one indigo-haired.

"I need my space! Can't you understand that?!" the indigo-haired one said. I noticed there was a pale pink tray resting near her feet, its contents spilled everywhere.

The blonde one slammed her fists on her hips. "Do you think leaving the Guardians will give you that space?" she countered.

Now that she mentioned it, I suddenly recognized the two girls fighting - Nadeshiko and Rima. The Little Queen's words earned gasps and whispers from the crowd. Seriously, couldn't they just watch and make no sound? Or much better, not watch at all?

"Nadeshiko-sama is quitting?"

"Why?"

"Is she going to transfer schools?"

Nadeshiko held on the metal railing, as if she needed to support herself again. Somehow, deep inside me, I wanted to console her to make her feel better.

"Please understand, Rima-chan. I've already talked to Yoru-kun about this. He fully supports me," Nadeshiko said.

Rima threw her hands up in frustration. "Of course, he supports you! The guy is a total jerk!"

Nagihiko came up from behind Rima and put a hand on her shoulder, "How 'bout we just let Nade-chan decide, huh, Rima-koi?"

The little blonde's fierce stance suddenly melted away. It was clear she had no match for Nagihiko's sweetness. She was about to say something when Nadeshiko suddenly bolted out of the cafeteria.

Without using my mind at all, I grabbed my things and hurried after the indigo-haired girl. Somehow I felt compelled to make sure she was okay. Not that I really cared. It was their mess. There was no need for me to get tangled up with these guardians again.

I glanced around, looking for signs of an indigo-haired girl. The hall was deserted, probably because everyone else was still enjoying lunch hour. The soles of my shoes clashed against the shiny floor. That sound was the only thing I heard in the deafening silence. I was just about to forget about looking for Nadeshiko when I heard voices not too far away.

"Are you really sure about this?"

"Yes,"

"Think clearly. You can't go back once you've given up your Chair,"

"I know that,"

The first voice was unfamiliar to me. But I was pretty sure the second one belonged to Nadeshiko. Their talk had me wondering. They seemed to treat the Guardians like complete royalty. I decided to go near them because I really hate eavesdropping. And I think they wouldn't really like it if I did, too.

"Nadeshiko, daijoubou?" I asked as soon as I was close enough.

Two heads shot up in surprise. It was as if they really didn't hear me walking - or that they just didn't think I'd go near them. I stared at Nadeshiko's blotchy face. She was hugging herself tightly as if she'd shatter if she let go. Obviously, she had been crying. And I felt a little sadness for her again.

"A-Amu-chan!" she gasped.

The boy beside her pushed his glasses to up his nose bridge and glanced at me. I noticed he wasn't one of the Guardians. Who knew the 'high ones' also socialized with people other than themselves?

The boy raised an eyebrow at me and crossed his arms. He had dark green hair that almost looked black dangling to the slides of his face. His light blue eyes stared at me impassively.

I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes at him before I spoke to Nadeshiko.

"Daijoubou?" I asked again, already feeling awkward that she haven't answered my question yet.

She nodded subtly. "Daijoubou," she said but the crack of her voice in the last syllable said the opposite.

I clenched and unclenched my fists. The pain in her voice made me want to beat someone in a pulp. I wondered what was wrong with me. Normally, I wouldn't care any less about anyone besides my family but now I just don't know.

The boy cleared his throat over the awkward silence. He put his hand on Nadeshiko's shoulder. "Why don't you girls talk for a while? We'll discuss your matter later,"

Nadeshiko nodded, "Arigatou, Kairi-kun,"

The tall guy called Kairi turned his back and walked away but not before sending me a meaningful stare. Like he was trying to tell me to talk Nadeshiko out of quitting the Guardians. My left brow quirked up but he was already on his way. Why would he send me that message? Was he crazy? Or maybe I just depicted it wrong. Either way, I wouldn't do anything. If quitting that group was really that big of a deal, then the decision should rest on Nadeshiko herself.

"Amu-chan..." Nadeshiko whispered, effectively snatching me away from my internal babble.

I looked at her. "Nani?"

[nani=what]

"E...to, did you have something to tell me?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with hope.

I thought for a while. What did I want to say to her? Did I have anything to tell her at all?

Slowly, I shook my head. "Do you?"

"What do you mean?" she asked, her brows knitted.

"Do you have anything to tell me?"

"Actually, there's something I want to ask you," Nadeshiko's voice was still raw, like she was trying real hard not to cry all over again.

I shrugged. "What is it?"

She inhaled deeply and sighed. "If there was something you've been doing for a long time and you thought that you really wanted it but then a time came when you needed to stop doing it, what would you do?"

I stared at her. I knew she was talking about herself. She was asking me about my opinion on her decision.

"That depends," I simply said.

"On what?"

"On which matters more to me: what I wanted, or what I needed," To me the answer was easy. My needs would always be more important than my wants. But clearly, my answer was still a little vague to the girl.

She sighed again, this time a lot heavier than the earlier one. "What if you both need it?"

I shrugged. "Well... You just have to know which one is you need more,"

"You're right," she nodded, looking like she thought everything finally made sense. "Arigatou,"

I fidgeted with my uniform, avoiding the unfamiliar feeling of gratitude towards me. I mentally shook my head. I've pushed myself too far.

Nadeshiko tugged at my sleeve. "Ne, Amu-chan...I have another thing to ask you. But if you feel uncomfortable answering it, it's okay if you don't,"

"Nani?"

"Are...uhhh...you and...uhhh-"

"Get on with it already," As much as I wanted to help this girl, I was still the same person who got impatient real quick.

She twirled her ponytail around her finger, looking curious yet uncomfortable. I was about to snap when she suddenly blurted, "Are you and Kiseki-kun dating?"

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hello! I'm going to college soon and I think I'll be updating quite less often. No worries though, cause I'll probably post two or three chapters every update so that I won't leave you hanging ^o^v

And as for my other stories, I'm really starting to get disappointed in myself for not working harder to find that notebook. I'm really sorry for that guys. I swear before I go to college I'm really going to find that darn thing.

Anyways...enough rant for now. Please don't forget to review ^w^

With all the love for writing,

Lace Ashdown

P.S. Sorry for any typos. My dad's kinda rushing me so I didn't have time to check it. Sorry!

P.P.S. Follow me on Twitter TheAshdown. I will be listening to your requests and other comments there. Thanks!